Movable front side gauge for paper cutting machines



Jan. 19, 1965 c. THUMlM 3,166,308

MOVABLE FRONT SIDE GAUGE FOR PAPER cu'mus MACHINES Filed Jan. 2, 1962 INVENTOR. ('ar/ Thu/nib:

United States Patent 0.

3,166,308 MOVABLE FRONT SIDE GAUGE FOR PAPER CUTTING MACHINES Carl Thnmim, Lombard, Ill., assignor to Miehle-Goss- Dexter, Inc., Chicago, 111., a corporation of Delaware Filed Jan. 2, 1962, Ser. No. 163,571 Claims. (Cl. 269303) This invention relates to paper cutting machines and more particularly, to the front side gauges normally associated with the cutting tables thereof.

A front side gauge is a plate disposed on the cutting table in front of the knife and in a plane normal thereto. It is disposed at an end of the table so that the side of a paper pile can be stacked in an even vertical Wall against the face of the gauge, prior to cutting.

In the operation of paper cutting machines certain difficulties with the use of conventional front side gauges have been encountered. Such difliculties relate to the tilting or slant-wise motion of the side of the paper pile in a lateral direction, in accordance with a component of motion of the knife. For example, the knife of such machines generally has three components of motion, namely downward, shearing, and a rocking motion. At the start of the cutting stroke one end of the knife is higher than the other and as the knife moves down and sideways, the higher end moves faster than the other so that both ends touch the tables simultaneously. At the end of the stroke this complex motion of the knife causes the side of the pile to slant away from its initial vertical plane. Due to the tremendous pressure exerted by the slanting motion of the pile, ordinary slot closing front side gauges are sometimes broken, by the sideways slanting of the pile.

Further, the knife displaces the cut end of the pile forwardly due towedging action, the movement effecting a forward slanting of the cut end. When paper of a rough surface finish is being cut, the non-yielding face of a conventional front side gauge prevents the forward slanting of the paper pile because of friction built up between the sidewall of the pile and the gauge, such as to prevent forward slanting of the cut erid of the pile. Inasmuch as such forward slanting, while the knife is cutting through the pile, is necessary to accommodate the Wedge of the knife, very heavy overloads on the knife drive occur when the forward slanting is impeded. This requires greater power for cutting rough surfaced papers. The frequent result is that the knife jams in the paper pile, causing the machine overload controls to function, thus resulting in delay. While the problem could be met to a limited extent by the use of a very sharp knife, frequent knife sharpening is required, likewise leading to delays and more expensive production costs.

It is the object of the present invention to overcome the drawbacks, discussed above, caused by conventional types of front side gauges. It is another object of the invention to provide a front side gauge which is rugged in construction and economical of manufacture. Other objects and features of the invention will be apparent from the description to follow.

Briefly, the invention comprises the provision of a pivota1 mount for a front side gauge wherein the gauge is held in vertical position for evening the side of a paper pile. As clamp pressure is being applied, however, the gauge is automatically swung away from the paper pile so as to leave space for sidewise slanting of the pile during the course of shearing action of the knife. Thus all restriction to both transverse and forward slanting of the pile Wall is removed. Subsequent to the cut being taken, as the clamp is being released, the front side gauge of the invention makes a return movement tovertical position, ready for the next cut. The action is entirely automatic,

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and requires no operator control, the gauge being maintained in vertical position by a powerful spring. HOW. ever, when hydraulic pressure is built up in the clamp system as the clamp is being pressed against the paper pile, the action of the spring is relieved to permit a spring of lesser power to pull the gauge to an inclined position whereat expansion space to accommodate transverse slanting movement of the paper pile is effected. Subsequently, the initial holding spring is brought back into position actuating the gauge back to a vertical plane, such action being accomplished once again by hydraulic pressure tied in with the clamp hydraulic system as the clamp is moved upwardly to release the pile.

A detailed description of the invention now follows, in conjunction with the appended drawing in which:

FIGURE 1 illustrates a paper pile as viewed from the front, showing the transverse slanting of the side walls effected by the shearing action of the cutting knife.

FIGURE 2 is a side view of a paper pile showing the forward slantingof the sheared end of the pile occasioned by the wedging action of the knife.

FIGURE 3 is a front view partially in section showing the essential components of the present invention.

FIGURE 4 is a section taken generally through 4-4 of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 5 is a profile view of the front side gauge plate of the invention.

Referring first t0 the illustration of FIGURE 1, a paper pile P is disclosed shown having a pronounced end wall tilt or slant as evidenced by the angle A. Thus such slant is occasioned by movement of a pile in the direction of the arrow B as the knife shears the pile with a motion.

component from right to 'left. FIGURE 2, showing a side view of What might be considered to be the same pile, shows the space C required to accommodate the knife as it is driven through the pile and effecting a forward tilting of the front wall as indicated by the angle D. The arrow E illustrates the direction of movement of the top of the pile as efiected by the downward movement of the knife.

From consideration of FIGURE 1 and FIGURE 2, it will be apparent that a rigid side gauge placed at the left end of the pile would prevent the transverse slanting action and while with some types of paper no harm would result, with rough finished paper a heavy frictional drag effect against the side gauge would result. Accordingly, the opening of the crevice C in FIGURE 2 could be accomplished only with the exercise of unusually heavy downward force on the knife K (FIGURE 5 In order to relieve this condition the invention provides a front side gauge 10 having the plate 12 against which the side wall or surface of a paper pile such as P resting on the cutting table T may engage for alignment The plate 12 is pivoted on a shaft 16 so that it is movable to the dotted position shown, and as indicated by the arcuate arrow F. Thus the slanted end P of the paper pile (as shown in phantom lines) is not forced to exert any pressure against the plate 12. The axis of shaft 16 is in the plane of the table top. Radius R (FIG. 1) of the lower edge of the plate 12 is such that no gap results between the plate and table as the plate rotates.

Plate 12 may be suitably carried on shaft 16 through intermediary of bearings such as 20 (FIG. 4), and the ends of the shaft may be carried in blocks 23, FIGURE 5, which will be understood to be integral with or secured to the frame of a cutting machine with which the invention is used.

Plate 12 may be buttressed by a front wall 26, normal thereto and also by an intermediate buttress arm 30 integral therewith and which is formed with a cam slope 33 for co-action with a cam follower roller 36, carried in the bifurcated end 39 of a plunger 42. Plunger 42 Patented Jan. 19, 1965 spring 74 can then pull V a. is carried by bushings 45 and 48 within a tubular end of a pivoted lever '52. Bushing 45 restsagainst bifurcated end. 39 and bushing 4-3 rests against shoulder 49 within lever 52 and is pinned in place, as shown. The

.lever152 is pivotally' supported at its bifurcated endby apin-53through bifurcated arms (FIGURE 4), which pin passes through a post 54 which will be understood to be integral with the machine table. Intermediate the bushings is a powerful compression spring 56 encompassing the plunger, the assembly being maintained by means of a nut 60 threaded on the end of the plunger. It will be noted that in FIGURE 3 there is a space between nut 60 and bushing 48, such space being indicative of the fact that the spring is under compression due to engagement of the roller 36 against the lower portionof the cam surface 33. Thus the arm 39 is maintained in vertical position by the action of spring 56' pressing the arm into engagement with a threadedly adjustable stop screw 63- which will be understood to be carried integral with the frame of the machine as indicated.

From the foregoing considerations it will be understood that movement of lever 52 upwardly to the dotted position will release the spring pressure acting on arm 30.

Such upward. movement of lever 52 is afforded by hydraulic power in a manner to be hereinafter described by means or" a piston rod 66 which is pivoted at its upper end as by a pin 70 Within the lever in a readily understood manner.

In'order to move the gauge away from the paper stack to the position P a tension spring 74 is utilized, secured by a spring end holder '77 to arm 34), at one end, and by a similar holder '77 to a post 85) integral with the table T. Spring 74 is in tension when plate 12 is vertical. Accordingly it will be understood that when the roller 36' is moved to the dotted position, the spring 74 can pull the plate to the dotted position, thus providing space for the slanted pile end P The relationship between the two springs is such that spring 56 dominates spring '74. Upon return movement of lever 52, the roller 36.n1oving from the dotted to the full line position, the camming action of the roller on the surface 33 compresses spring 56 and also forces extension of spring 74 until arm 36 is once again in abutmerit with the limit stop 63:. At this time plate 12 is once again in a vertical plane.

Theautomatic action of the invention thus far described is brought about hydraulically by effecting connection of'the piston rod 66 to a piston 82 in a double-ended cylinder as generally indicated at 85, and which is pivoted at 88. The ends of the cylinder are connected to the multi-way valve V, shown (FIG. 3) as a block diagram. Such valve V is conventional and is used to control the up and down movement of the machine clamp in a conventional system. Thus the'valve has conduit connections as symbolically illustrated by C and C which will be understood to go to the pressure and return sides of a pump. Conduit. connections C and C will be understood to go to the ends of theusual double-acting cylinder which raises and lowers the clamp of a paper cutting machine.

It will be noted that the ends of the cylinder 85 are connected to the clamp cylinder conduits. Accordingly, as pressure is fed to the clamp cylinder for effecting clamp pressure on a paper pile, such pressure being assumed to be in the line C rod 66 moves upwardly to release the cam roller 36 from cam face 33, and plate 12 to the dotted position. As the pressure exerted by the clamp on the paperpile builds up, there. is no longer any need for the side gauge at this time. n the return stroke of the clamp to upper position, pressure now being in the line C rod 66 is motivated downwardly moving the roller 36 from the dotted to the full line position to once more swing plate 12 into a vertical plane, as explained hereinabove, ready the plate takes place under power of pist'on82 at a con-' trolled rate and serves to straighten up the slanted side of the pile without spillage.

From the foregoing explanation it will be apparent that a machine equipped with the front side gauge of the invention will not be subject to the difficulties encountered by machines having conventional'front side gauges, and that any type of paper'may be handled in such machines without fear of encountering the various difiiculties enumerated hereinabove.

Having thus described my invention, I am aware that changes may be made and do not seek to be lirnited to the precise embodiment illustrated, except as set forth in the appended claims.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive privilege or property is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A front side gauge for paper cutting machines having a cutting table, said gauge comprising a guide plate and means for pivotally mounting said plate adjacent the side of the'table to be engaged by the'side of a paper pile; holding means for maintaining saidplate normal to the plane of said table, actuating means for swinging said plate away from said normal position prior to a cutting operation so as to provide space for slanting transverse movement of said side of said paper pile while being cut, wherein said holding means comprises a spring, said actuating means comprising a spring dominated by said holding means spring, and means for precluding holding action of said holding means spring to permit said actuating means spring to actuate said guide plate.

2. In a paper cutting machine having a knife and a clamp, a table for supporting a paper pile to be cut, a front side gauge having a paper pile engaging element, means for pivotally carrying' said element at the side of said table for engagement with the side of a paper pile section to be cut from a pile by said knife, holding means for maintaining said element at a predetermined angle relative to said table, said holding means comprising a hydraulic motor; a clamp actuating control system for controlling theclamp of said machine, said motor being coupled to said system so that hydraulic pressure for clamp actuation is communicated to said motor, said holding means also comprising a device operable by said motor and operative to move said element to effect maintenance of said predetermined angle between said element and said table.

3. In a combination as set forth in claim 2, said hydraulic motor having reversible movement, said device being reversibly movable and connected to said motor so' as to be reversibly moved thereby, said element having a portion engageable by said device in one direction of movement thereof to effect said predetermined angle and being releasable by said device in the other direction of movement thereof to permit pivotal movement of said element to another angle.

4. In a combination as set forth in claim 3, said portion comprising a cam, said device comprising a cam follower engageable with said'cam during the course of movement of said device in said one direction and being disengageable from said cam'during'the course of movement of said device in said otherdirection.

5. In a combination as set forth in claim 3, said device comprising a spring disposed to be stressed upon engagement of said device with said portion of said ele- 'ment.

6. In a combination as set forth in claim 3, said portion comprising a cam, said device comprising a cam follower engageable with said cam during the course of movement of said device in said one direction and being disengageable from said cam during the course of movement of said device in said other direction, said device comprising a spring disposed to be stressed upon engagement of said cam follower with said cam.

7. In a device as set forth in claim 5, including a spring attached to said element for effecting pivotal movement to said other angle upon release of said portion of said element by said hydraulically operated device.

8. In a combination as set forth in claim 7, wherein said first mentioned spring dominates said second mentioned spring.

9. A front side gauge for paper cutting machines having a knife and a cutting table, said gauge comprising a guide plate and means for pivotally mounting said plate adjacent the side of the machine table, holding means for maintaining said plate normal to the plane of said table, and actuating means for swinging said plate away from said normal position prior to a cutting operation so as I to provide space for slanting movement of the side of a said plate maintained thereagainst by said holding means.

10. A gauge device as set forth in claim 9, wherein said holding means comprises a spring, said actuating means comprising a spring dominated by said holding means spring, and means for precluding holding action of said holding means spring to permit said actuating means spring to actuate said guide plate.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 859,195 7/07 Bohme 269417 X 2,589,033 3/52 Baumgartner 2691303 X 2,941,432 6/60 Williamson 269-232 x FRANK SUSKO, Primary Examiner.

DAVID J. WILLIAMOWSKY, Examiner. 

1. A FRONT SIDE GAUGE FOR PAPER CUTTING MACHINES HAVING A CUTTING TABLE, SAID GAUGE COMPRISING A GUIDE PLATE AND MEANS FOR PIVOTALLY MOUNTING SAID PLATE ADJACENT THE SIDE OF THE TABLE TO BE ENGAGED BY THE SIDE OF A PAPER PILE; HOLDING MEANS FOR MAINTAINING SAID PLATE NORMAL TO THE PLANE OF SAID TABLE, ACTUATING MEANS FOR SWINGING SAID PLATE AWAY FROM SAID NORMAL POSITION PRIOR TO A CUTTING OPERATION SO AS TO PROVIDE SPACE FOR SLATING TRANSVERSE MOVEMENT OF SAID SIDE OF SAID PAPER PILE WHILE BEING CUT, WHEREIN SAID HOLDING MEANS COMPRISES A SPRING, SAID ACTUATING MEANS COMPRISING A SPRING DOMINATED BY SAID HOLDING MEANS SPRING, AND MEANS FOR PRECLUDING HOLDING ACTION OF SAID HOLDING MEANS SPRING TO PERMIT SAID ACTUATING MEANS SPRING TO ACTUATE SAID GUIDE PLATE. 